Price

RRP £2.49 per 330ml bottle

The Product

Golden Era is brewed at La Binchoise Brewery in Binche, Belgium, and is backed by ZX Ventures.

Founded in 2017, the brewers looked to rethink the way modern beer is created using the past as inspiration. Its name too, is evocative of bygone centuries but equally, could allude to this current climate where innovation in brewing is experiencing a renaissance.

Golden Era made its UK debut in January 2018, to offer a natural, gluten-free American pale-ale to the market. Taking inspiration from early versions of beer production, the recipe has been derived from what the brand calls “ancient grains” – including quinoa, buckwheat, millet and liberty hops. While much of the world uses these grains as a dietary staple and – in countries like Peru, Ethiopia and South Africa, they were brewed long before wheat and barley were introduced – concepts like this have only recently crept into the heavily-saturated mainstream beer market.

The packaging is wonderfully simple – a brown bottle with a modish gold and green logo. The circular, abstract grain pattern wouldn’t look out of place as a carving in an ancient ruin, but the simple lines are also effortlessly modern and illustrate the clean-drinking aspect of the beer perfectly. The completely natural ingredients mean no additives or preservatives and the five-week fermentation process is a fresh interpretation of traditional brewing methods.

The Verdict

Golden Era is 4% ABV and unpasteurised. Out of the bottle, it is a translucent amber colour, with a small, off-white head that doesn’t linger. As described by the brand, its citrus notes are evident on the nose, with bitter undertones and a touch of sweetness. On the palate, it has a very light body, pleasantly dry and bitter with hints of orange, moving into an interesting profile from the different grains, which give a flinty mineral flavour. It finishes on a grassy note with the roundness of toasted grains. All in all, a decent session beer, but its fizz and bitterness make chilling essential.

The Details

Golden Era will be available in selected outlets across East London and can be purchased online through Beer Hawk (RRP £2.49 for a 330ml bottle)